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Published May 14, 2009, 01:10 AM

North Hudson board hears from Operation HELP

Officials of Operation HELP explained their organization and offered avenues of aid for people in need at the North Hudson Board of Trustees’ regular meeting last Tuesday.

By: Jon Echternacht, Hudson Star-Observer

  • Monica Weekes, left, and Les Berg of Operation HELP
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    Monica Weekes, left, and Les Berg explain the mission of Operation HELP at the North Hudson Village Bard meeting last Tuesday. A resource guide to aid from area organizations has been compiled by the volunteers of Operation HELP and is available to the public at the Village Hall. Photo by Jon Echternacht

Officials of Operation HELP explained their organization and offered avenues of aid for people in need at the North Hudson Board of Trustees’ regular meeting last Tuesday.

Les Berg and Monica Weekes gave a short historical background of Operation HELP in the early stages of the meeting.

Weekes said the organization was started as a non-profit in 1981 in Hudson to provide Christmas gifts to needy families.

“We specialize in providing rent and utility help for people who can’t make it due to extraordinary situations,” Weekes said. “It is critical now. We work closely with other non-profits in the area. We also continue the Christmas program for kids.”

Weekes said Operation HELP works on a $130,000 budget that is entirely funded by donations and grants. “Our main provider is United Way,” she said.

In 2008, the organization helped 276 families with rent and utilities and minor car repairs. “Hopefully we kept 276 families in their homes,” she said.

Over the first four months of this year, Operation HELP has come to the aid of 60 families in St. Croix County, she said.

Berg and Weekes said they are in the process of updating their resource manual that includes a wealth of information on organizations in the area that provide help.

Village President George Klein pointed out the resource manual is on hand at the Village Hall for the public to use. “Anyone who has a need can come in and use it,” he said.

Klein said the main reason for the informational session was to inform the public about the resource manual.

For more information, contact Operation HELP at (715) 386-0881. The hours of operation are 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday. The organization maintains a phone desk at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 502 County UU, Hudson.

Other action

In other action at the May 5 meeting, the board:

  • Approved an extended premises class B liquor license for the Kozy Korner to conduct a bean bag tournament June 1 by a 7-0 margin. The tourney runs in conjunction with the establishment’s grand opening under new owner Ryan Nelson.

  • Approved a fireworks permit application for Marc Zappa of Village Fireworks by a 6-0 margin. Trustee Zappa recused himself from the proceedings.

  • Approved a fireworks permit application for Freedom Valu Center.

  • Approved a conditional use permit for Ricky Beach to operate Beach Upholstery at 303 Fifth St. N.

  • Approved claims of $27,636.56 for April.

  • Tabled action on amendment to a zoning ordinance established in 1998. Village Attorney Terry Dunst said a Supreme Court decision that a municipality can’t establish commercial zoning laws with no clear usage only restricted uses, which is the case in North Hudson.

    Honors

    President George Klein recognized chief administrator Gloria Troester with a reading of a proclamation for Municipal Clerks Week, which was set week May 3-9. Troestor has served the village for five years.

    Past President Larry Larsen was scheduled to be honored but was unable to make the meeting. The acknowledgement was postponed to the June 2 meeting.

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